Defenders of the Realm

by Dave Willmarth

  Braxis cocked his head for a moment as if considering his answer. Then he emphatically shook his head ‘no’. He squawked again and looked upward toward where Kai’s roost was. Alexander opened guild chat. “Kai, or Bodine, Braxis is in the courtyard and seems to have an urgent message he wants to relay.”

  Kai appeared in the courtyard a moment later and strode quickly over to the gryphon. He said “Greetings Braxis. What do you have for us?”

  Braxis wasted no time, launching into a lengthy dialogue that included a significant amount of wing-waving and gnashing of his beak. Kai began to smile after a minute or so, then outright laughed. Which relieved much of the tension among those who’d gathered around.

  When the gryphon stopped talking, Kai turned to Alexander. He translated loud enough for everyone to hear. “When Braxis heard the dark army had been located, he sent one of his gryphons back to his old pride to gather reinforcements. The Alpha gryphon Tlark chased him away, so he continued on to one of the prides run by Braxis’ sons. They sent a force of gryphons to harass the demons.”

  Alexander grinned at this, remembering how Braxis had ‘rained’ harassment on the demons earlier. Kai continued. “There was a happy accident. They were gathering boulders at the top of the mountain above the demon camp, planning to drop them on the demons from above. One of the gryphons lost his grip and dropped his rock too soon. The impact started a rock slide that crashed down over the demon’s camp. Braxis doesn’t have numbers, but he says many demons were killed. And the hole they were using to enter Elysia has been buried under a deep pile of stone.”

  There was a cheer from the gathered crowd as Braxis preened a bit at the admiration. Alexander patted the majestic creature’s neck.

  “Thank you, Braxis. And please thank your son for us too. At the very least he’s bought us some time and cut off their reinforcements for a while.”

  When Braxis returned to his roost, Alexander called an officer’s meeting. He also invited Kai, Grumpy, and all the players, as well as Taylor, the two dwarven captains, and Grimble. The meeting was to begin in one hour in the main hall. He asked Lola to see to having chairs or benches set up.

  While he waited he teleported up to the control room. He greeted Jeeves with a question. “Hello Jeeves. Have you heard of any problems at Geb’s mine?”

  “No problems, Alexander. I have been updating them on the approaching undead. There are now 1,190 of them within my detection range. The closest, if they continue at current speed, will arrive at the mine in just under four hours.”

  “Thank you, Jeeves. Can you pull up your display for me? Are you close to leveling again?” The familiar blue hologram display popped up above the control table. Alexander noted some significant changes.

  Elysian Keep: Level 21/50

  Physical Status: 3300/3300

  See Infrastructure tab for details

  Resources: 189,800 units

  See Resources tab for details

  Current Population: 431

  Citizens: 415 Guests: 16

  Defensive Capabilities: 100%

  See Defense tab for details

  Ancillary Structures: 26

  See Ancillary Structures tab for details

  Production rate: 49%

  Production will increase with population and use of ancillary structures

  Jeeves replied “The addition of the embassy and the other ancillary structures you have raised today, combined with the points I received for the defense against the orc army, have brought me close to level 22. If you are successful in defending against the undead and demon invaders, I will almost certainly reach the next level.”

  “Jeeves, our resources have grown considerably since I last saw your status. But our production rate is down?”

  “Yes, Alexander. The nearby mine is producing at full capacity, as are the dragon forge, several of the crafters, the hunters, and the fishermen. And the farming production rate is increasing. But the addition of the lands on the plateau added more mines, farmlands, and two villages with crafting and fishing capabilities that are not in use. So my total production rate is just over half of full potential.”

  Alexander looked thoughtfully at the hologram. “We’d need a LOT more citizens to bring you up to 100%. And I can’t keep pulling people from Broken Mountain and Stormforge forever. We need to expand.”

  After another moment, he said “Jeeves, I’m going to go visit our neighbors to the north. I don’t want to announce it in guild chat. If anybody asks for me, just tell them I’ll return shortly.”

  “Of course, Alexander.”

  Alexander teleported himself up to the garrison tower. Though he’d been using that particular spell quite a bit, he didn’t have the range yet to teleport all the way to the minotaur tower in one shot.

  Next, he teleported himself to the bridge where they’d fought the orcs. Then one last hop to just outside the tree line at the northern edge of the forest. In front of him was the tower Fitz had constructed. There were several minotaur guards visible upon the walls. He approached the gate and called out “I would like to see Chief Molgo!”

  The guards recognized him from his recent visit and opened the gates. As soon as he was inside, they closed behind him. A female minotaur was exiting the tower and approaching. She was nearly as impressive as Molgo himself. Arms and legs that looked strong enough to lift an elephant. Her horns were brightly polished and etched with a flowery vine pattern.

  “I am Dawn. Molgo’s intended. He is not here.” She said simply.

  “Will he be returning? I’d like to speak with him about inviting some of your people to my lands.”

  She tilted her head to one side, looking at Alexander with jet black eyes. “He has returned to our city. I will speak for him.”

  “Of course. My name is Alexander. I am-“

  “I know who you are, elf king. What is your proposal.”

  Alexander chuckled to himself. This cow-woman was very no-nonsense and direct. Reminded him a little bit of Sasha. “I have extensive lands within the forest. Villages that sit empty, farms that go untended. I simply do not have enough people to fill the space. I wish to offer your people, and the orcs if they’ll cooperate peacefully, a chance to become citizens of Elysia and live among us.”

  “Live among elves? You want slaves.” She stomped a hoof for emphasis on the last word.

  “No. Free citizens. Bound only by our laws. With the same rights as every other citizen. You would have to take an oath of loyalty, but that is all. You will earn wages from the sale of crops you grow, or crafts you create. And Elysia is not an elven realm. There are only a very few elves, in fact. Most are humans, and dwarves. There are also gnomes, ogres, rock trolls, duergar, a goblin, a few dragons…”

  Her eyes widened as he described the variety of races living within Elysia. “And you would accept the orcs? Though they just attacked you?”

  He laughed again. “It wasn’t so much that they attacked me, they were running from you!” He actually saw her lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile. “I was told by Molgo that the orcs traded and lived in peace with your people until one of them took control and set them all to war. He’s dead. I’m hoping that peace can be restored.”

  Dawn looked down at him from her eight-foot height and nodded once. “Good plan. I will go and speak with Molgo. Return here in two days.”

  Alexander held up a hand. “I may not be able to return that quickly. Another army has invaded my lands. This one is made up of more than a thousand undead, and a large number of demons. I do not know how long it will take us to defeat them.”

  Dawn spit on the ground “Undead! Filthy things. They attacked our city less than a year ago. Killed many good warriors before we burned them all to ashes.”

  “Yes. I agree. And they don’t smell good either.” Alexander half-joked with the large minotaur female.

  She didn’t get it. “Yes the stench clung to our city for a week.”

  Deciding he needed to cut thing
s short and get back to the battle preparations, Alexander said “Your people are welcome to move south into the forest. There is a village that the orcs occupied. You can hunt, and fish. I can meet you there after the battle if you’d like to discuss an alliance. Or if some of your people would like to become Elysians.”

  Dawn nodded her head “I will go and speak with Molgo myself.”

  With a wave, Alexander teleported himself away. Reversing his steps, he was soon back at the keep. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Fibble peeking out from the stables to his right. He waved to the little goblin, who tentatively waved back, then disappeared. After the show in the stables earlier, Alexander thought it might be a good idea to see what his Minister of Demon-killing and Cookies was up to.

  Entering the stables he didn’t see Fibble anywhere. Walking to the tack room in the back, he found the little guy sitting on a saddle and looking mournfully at the floor. “Fibble? What’s wrong, buddy?”

  “Fibble sad.” The goblin stated unnecessarily.

  Rolling his eyes and trying to be patient, Alexander asked “Why are you sad?”

  “Boss call big meeting. Talk about demon killing. Everybody excited. Big fight. Kill many demons.”

  “That’s right. The meeting starts soon in the main hall. There’s a whole army of demons to kill. And you like killing demons! So why are you hiding in here being sad?”

  Fibble looked up at him, ears drooping and oversized goblin eyes full of tears. “Fibble not invited. Fibble hear boss voice in head, say all hossifers and Grimble and… not Fibble.” His lower lip trembled.

  Alexander nearly facepalmed. “Fibble… when I said all officers… I meant you too. You are officially invited to every meeting about killing demons we ever have. Forever!”

  He watched as his words sunk in and the little goblin’s face brightened. “Then Fibble go to big meeting? You let Fibble help kill demons? Fibble is hossifer like Sasha and Lainey?”

  “Fibble is even better than… hossifer. Fibble is family!” Alexander held out a hand intending to help the little guy up and lead him to the great hall. But in his enthusiasm, Fibble grabbed ahold of Alexander’s hand and pulled himself up… to Alexander’s shoulder. Where he sat for a short moment before tapping Alexander on the head and indicating he should be moving.

  Grinning despite the knowledge that he was about to catch all kinds of shit from his friends for showing up with a goblin riding him, Alexander walked back out of the stables. There were some amused glances and pointed fingers from passing citizens, but nobody outright teased him.

  Until he reached the main hall. Where Brick happened to be standing.

  “Bwahaha! D’ye think yer Lugs now? Ye don’t look like no goblin mount. Too scrawny n not enough teeth!”

  Seeing Sasha and Jules standing nearby talking, and always preferring the company of ladies who might offer up treats, Fibble patted Alexander on the head and hopped down onto one of the tables. He promptly hopped from table to chair to chair again before bowling into Sasha from behind. The two of them tumbled to the floor, Sasha looking around in confusion. When she saw Fibble sprawled out on his back next to her, she frowned. She was about to reprimand him when he produced a cookie, saying “Fibble sorry knock Sasha down. Cookie make all better?”

  Sasha’s annoyance melted, and she accepted the cookie. “Thank you for the cookie, Fibble. And the apology. You have to learn to control those fast feet of yours.” She winked at him, then laughed as he tried unsuccessfully to copy the expression. He went cross-eyed trying to watch with one eye as the other blinked rapidly.

  The rest of the group filed in and took seats while Alexander considered what to say. His contemplation ended when he realized the room had gone quiet and everyone was staring at him.

  “Right. Okay folks, you all know about the army we’re facing. There are close to 1,200 undead and maybe a similar number of demons. I was offered some advice this morning, and I’d like to hear what all of you think. Where should we fight them?”

  Lorian was the first to stand. “My hunters can deal with a hundred, maybe two hundred as they move through the woods. We have to fire and move, and it sometimes takes 3 or 4 shots to bring them down.”

  Alexander shook his head. “That was part of the advice I received. The demons want us fighting in the woods. That’s their plan. They don’t care about our kingdom right now. They want that mine and what’s in it.” He looked around the room. There was nobody present that he didn’t feel he could trust. “His name is Geb. He’s one of an ancient race called Althugr. And he’s the Guardian of a power node that sits in the bottom of the mine. That node was controlled by the demons until we cleared the mine. Now they want it back.”

  He waited for the murmurs from those who didn’t know to quiet down. “Geb suggested we fight them on our own terms. Make them fight inside the mine where their numbers mean less, and we can control the environment.” Again he gave them a minute to think it over.

  “I’d like to hear any thoughts you have on this. Agreement, disagreement, alternate ideas.”

  Lorian spoke first again. “My hunters and I aren’t as useful underground, in the tight spaces of tunnels. But we could harass them from outside the entrance. Get up in the trees and rain fire on them.”

  Alexander said “That would work fine for the undead. But some of the demons can fly. And they have ranged magic. Are you sure you could get away if attacked while up a tree?”

  Lorian replied “Let me think on it.”

  Grimble was next. “Ye know dwarves always be willin’ ta fight underground!” Brick, Grumpy, and both guard captains voiced their agreement. Grimble added “Them rock trolls will be wantin ta play, too!”

  Lugs asked, “Just how tall and wide are the mine shafts?”

  Brick nudged him with an elbow “They be tall enuff ye won’t be scrapin yer thick skull!”. When Lugs nudged him back, the dwarf rolled off the end of the bench onto the floor.

  Alexander took over. “While Brick gets to his feet I’ll finish his answer. As for wide, I intend to narrow the shafts in places so that only a few of the defenders can push through at once. We’ll be burning the undead by the dozen, and Brick will need to take the center position, as the fire will not damage him. But your shield and spear will be needed at his side.”

  The discussion continued, with no real objections to fighting in the mine, at least for the undead portion of the army. Max recommended that he and Lainey and Lorian’s hunters go to the towers and pick off any undead who may still be approaching. Brick suggested they charge the whole tribe of rock trolls through the demon camp and let them stomp and smash as many as possible. He added that he didn’t see any real strategic advantage, he just thought it would be fun to see.

  Sasha suggested they ask the gryphons to drop more rocks on the demons from a safe height just to keep them occupied while the Elysian army was engaged with the undead. Everyone liked that idea immensely.

  Their plans made, the Elysians began to mobilize. Those with mounts went through the teleportation mirror and began the ride to the mine. Alexander stayed behind and began to teleport groups of fifteen to a spot just outside the wall he’d built around the mine. The dwarven guards were best suited to fight in the darkness of the underground mine shafts, so they were sent first. Two groups of them. Taylor and the human guards were left behind to guard the keep along with the duergar. The miners came next, being experienced with digging and fortifying tunnels. They brought one of the rock trolls with them. Alexander sent them behind the guards. A group of hunters gathered next, and Alexander sent them to the top of the central lookout tower where they immediately began to shoot at passing undead soldiers.

  Next came Martin and the healers from Antalia. Alexander instructed the four who were high enough level to report to Sasha when she arrived with the others, then sent them on their way. The rest went to finalize the hospital preparation in the keep.

  A group of humans approached Alexander as he was disc
ussing final preparations with Lola. They were carpenters, farmers, and loggers. All had equipped themselves with armor and weapons from the keep’s supply. They were led by Collin – one of the carpenters from the first group of Stormforge volunteers.

  “We’re ready to fight, Alexander.” Collin announced with a grim face.

  Alexander was proud of his people’s willingness to risk their lives for Elysia. But he wouldn’t let his emotion affect his judgement. “Thank you, Collin. All of you. This next fight is underground, and better suited for dwarves. But you’ll get your chance soon enough. Once we’ve dealt with the undead, we still have a demon army to contend with. So for now, remain here and help defend the keep. This whole battle may be just a distraction to pull our forces away and enable an attack here.”

  Collin studied his new king for a moment before nodding. “We’ll hold, if it comes to that. No army will breach these walls while we live.” The others silently raised swords and spears across their chests as if swearing an oath.

  Alexander returned the salute with his own sword. “I have no doubt my keep is safe in your hands.”

  When they dispersed to take up positions on the wall, Lola said “Ye did good. Told em’ no, but give’em their pride. Pride in themselves and in their king.”

  Alexander looked at the young dwarfess, who was still wearing the armor she’d wore into the gremlin dungeon. “Thank you, Lola. Please try and keep them from doing anything too brash before we return?”

  “Aye, I’ll keep this lot in line till ye or me gramps comes back ta run things. Don’t ye worry.” Lola stomped away, already shouting orders to anyone she spotted standing idle.

  Almost as if he’d been summoned, the portal opened and Silverbeard stepped through. Behind him came ten rows of ten dwarven warriors in full armor. Each carried a crossbow in addition to their usual shields and swords or hammers. The rhythm of their boots striking stone kept the time for the war chant that growled from their throats. Silverbeard stopped in front of Alexander.